Have you come across the latest reports suggesting the end of the home office?
Contrary to what Mark Twain might have said, it seems that reports claiming the downfall of remote work have been highly exaggerated. Management personnel overseeing remote employees are well aware that such assertions hold no ground
Nonetheless, telecommuting has experienced notable transformations lately, with fresh advancements coming up in the sector back in 2023. Hence, it is critical for all managers of remote teams to pay attention to the following 10 developments:
It’s not a fringe concept anymore.
The count of full-time remote workers is witnessing a significant rise, and part-time telecommuting is becoming more and more prevalent. This implies that managers of remote teams now have a bigger team to supervise than ever before.This is a big hit among younger employees.
Young professionals find telecommuting a favourable trend because it is an inherent extension of the digital world they grew up in. Choosing young, motivated employees who are ready to work remotely can significantly cut down the time required for onboarding as opposed to training more experienced staff.Nevertheless, these days, people from diverse backgrounds work from home.
Teleworking is not confined to students and homemakers anymore; in fact, the average age of a telecommuter is 49, with an annual compensation of $58,000. Hence, if you are pondering remote work opportunities, it would be worthwhile to broaden your search and explore all feasible choices.Ensuring that your team is equipped with appropriate tools is crucial.
The computers themselves are not the crucial factor, but rather the project management software they utilise and their ease of access to the company’s documents, records, and internet resources. Employing the right technology is an essential in any business for efficient operations, stimulating collaboration, and ensuring error-free decision-making.It can be accomplished with a smartphone and appropriate software.
The growth of telecommuting has resulted in a demand for intuitive digital applications that can aid remote workers in managing their work, staying connected with their colleagues and the headquarters, and enabling online meetings. Such tools can extend the support and guidance needed to ensure the smooth functioning of a remote team.Emphasising efficiency is crucial for effective meetings.
Unpreparedness and poor time management cannot be tolerated during meetings with remote staff. In the absence of virtual meetings being managed adeptly, telecommuting workers will not have a strong sense of commitment towards achieving organisational success.Employees who work from home frequently put in additional hours every week.
Studies have corroborated this fact. This insight provides managers with more flexibility in allocating duties and meeting timelines, without having the liberty to overload or exploit their remote staff.Concentrate on the final output, rather than the time put in.
Although it is crucial to assess remote staff based on their outcomes instead of their inputs, it is essential to uphold excellence of their work above its quantity. Thus, motivating remote workers to utilise their time and resources optimally and fruitfully is more important than simply urging them to put in more work.Active involvement is critical.
Instead of waiting for issues to surface before getting in touch with their remote staff, proficient managers of remote teams take the initiative to engage with them on a regular basis.Learn to lock your (digital) door.
If you want some time alone from your coworkers, closing your office door can help you achieve that. Similarly, if you need to concentrate without any disruptions but cannot be physically present, you must notify your remote staff in advance that you will be unavailable for a specific duration of time.
Despite certain sceptics in the corporate realm, telecommuting is a lasting trend that is here to remain. Managers who acknowledge and adopt remote work and telecommuting will not only gain an edge over their competitors but also position themselves at the forefront of their colleagues within the corporate sphere.
